Category: Sermon Notes

SERIES: The Great Adventure: One Way Love

TITLE:  Ruining a Dinner Party

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

I.    THE REPUTATION        

Two main thrusts appear in this story:

1. The transformed life of the sinful woman
2. Jesus evangelizing the Pharisee

There are several back stories here:

1. Social mores of the Near East.
2. The reputation of the sinful woman and her act of worship.

What was she thinking? She was a (sinner); He a (rabbi). Jesus was her (last hope).  But grace begins where (pride ends). When we are broken and admit we are, (God is there).

II.   THE RESTORATION            

This woman’s act offended Simon because he was (overly prudish) or (hyper-religious). But there is a bigger reason: grace offends because it is (offensive).  Grace does not depend on the (loveliness) of the other person.

What about Simon?

1. Why did he invite Jesus to his house?
2. Simon’s life was to be set on its ear by his (encounter with Jesus).
3. The real miracle is Jesus had a love for this (self-righteous hypocrite)..

One of the hardest things for us to wrap our minds and heart around is the (unconditional love) of God.

NEXT WEEK:   TGA

Title: A Look Ahead

Scripture: john 20:30-31; 21:25

SERIES: The Great Adventure: One Way Love

TITLE:  Hugging a Cactus

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

I.   MEET ZACCHAEUS

“This is one of the most jaw-dropping instances of one-way love in the entire Bible.” Tullian Tchividjian

What do we know about Zacchaeus?

1. He was a (tax-collector).
2. He was in the employ of (Rome).
3. His wealth came from selling out his (family and friends) to Rome.
4. To the Jewish Mishnah, Z was not even a (person).

II.   ZACCHAEUS MEET JESUS

Jesus singled him out.  How?

1. Jesus called him (by name).
2. Jesus paid him the highest compliment by wanting to go (to his home).
3. Jesus wanted to talk (privately).

Z’s joyful charity was not the preface to God’s grace- it was (the result).  Obedience is really a weak word when it comes to Z’s extravagance. This is what some might call (extravagant and graceful) giving.

A grateful heart is a (generous) heart, and a generous heart is a (liberated) heart.

A couple thoughts (from Gospel by J.D. Greear0

1)     The law produces (Pharisees); the gospel produces (Christians).

2)     We are not transformed by a (command) of Jesus, but by an (experience) with Him.

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: One Way Love

Title: Ruining a Dinner Party

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

SERIES: The Great Adventure: One Way Love

TITLE:  A Look Ahead (Overview of Luke)

Scripture: Various Scriptures in Luke

I.    MEET THE DOCTOR       

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is pictured as the (compassionate) Son of Man who came to “seek and save the lost.”

Luke’s gospel is known as the gospel of (the underdog).

Who is Luke?

1. Paul calls him (the beloved physician).

2. According to Col.4:11, he was probably a (Gentile).

3. The first reference to Luke in Acts is 16:10 with the word (we).

4. Luke writes his gospel and Acts to Theophilus which means (friend of God).

    

II.   SEE HIS ANALYSIS            

Why did he write the gospel?  Luke 1:4

Who was his audience?  Matthew wrote to the Jews. Mark wrote to the Romans. Luke wrote to the (Gentiles).

There are two major themes which run their way through the book;

1. Jesus’ Humanity

2. Jesus’ love for the people.

Pretty easy outline to see;

1. Jesus Introduced (1:1-4:13)

2. Jesus is “Mighty in Deed” (4:14-9:50)

3. Jesus is “Mighty in Word” (9:51-21:38

4. Jesus is Crucified and Resurrected (22-24)

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: One Way Love

Title: Hugging a Cactus

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Love Speaks Through Liberation

Scripture: Mark 5: 1-20

I.    MISERY LOVES COMPANY       

Can’t really call this man’s existence a life. Let’s break it down:

1)     Matthew 8 records this same event, but mentions two.

2)     This man had an unclean spirit.  This man was not a maniac, he was a (demoniac). By unclean spirit it is probably referring to the demon (controlling) him.

3)     He lives among the tombs. They were (burial chambers) carved out of rock hillsides on the outskirts of town.

4)     We are told no one could bind him.

5)     We are given a further description of his normal activity. (Crying out – means a continual unearthly scream uttered with intense emotion.)

His name is (Legion).  That was a Latin word which defined a Roman army unit of 6000 infantrymen.

II.   FREEDOM LOVES COMPANY           

Who were the herdsmen?

What were they fearful of?

What was it the former demoniac wanted?

What was he told to do?

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: One Way Love

Title: A Look Ahead (Overview of Luke)

Scripture: Various Scriptures in Luke

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Love Speaks Through Reaching Out

Scripture: Mark 4: 21-32

**IF YOU’RE NOT DOING, THEN YOU’RE NOT (LOVING). LOVE DOES!**

I.    Three Parables

A.  The Lamp on a Stand

-What was HIDDEN has been made (OPEN). The LIGHT reveals the (TRUTH).

The light’s job is to (convict, clean, purify and align) us with the truth and character of Jesus.

Once it’s shining in you, (let it shine) on those around you!

B.  The Growing Seed

-(Only God) can cause the seed to grow.

Are you producing fruit? The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,           faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

As we are in Christ, we are to become (farmers) who sow seed…the message and love of Jesus.

C.  The Mustard Seed

-The kingdom and family of God is (growing).

A little faith goes a long way! Faith is multiplying, and God’s family is expanding.

II. Reaching Out in Love

“Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity; it is about love. Charity and love are the                same–with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand.”

-Mother Teresa

How can we reach out?

1.  Be (Intentional): It is impossible to reach out (passively)!

2.  Meet a (Need): See the need. Move with compassion.

3.  Shine the light and sow the seed!

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Love Speaks Through Friendship

Scripture: Mark 2: 1-12

I.    FRIENDSHIP ABOVE AND BEYOND      

Mark is master of (time gaps).  Jesus leaves in (triumph); He returns under (suspicion).

Jesus focuses the people right where they need to be. What was Jesus impressed with? (the faith of the friends).

It is not easy (trusting others).

II.   FORGIVENESS ABOVE AND BEYOND          

What did Jesus tell the man on the cot?  (You are healed) or (Your sins are forgiven)?

Why was that so significant?  Many Jews in that day believed all (disease and affliction) were a direct result of one man’s (sins).

Who was in the crowd? (Scribes).  Also mentioned in Mark 1:22. Their teaching was not in the spoken word of God, but more in the (traditions) passed down by other rabbis.

Jesus called him “son.”  It literally means “child.” The implication is Jesus first claimed a (relationship) with him-one of love and caring. The second he claimed was the ability to (forgive his sins).

The Greek verb for “are forgiven” refers to sending or driving away.

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Love Speaks

Title: Love Speaks Through Reaching Out

Scripture: Mark

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  The Servant

Scripture: Various Scriptures from Mark

I.    AN INTRODUCTION        

Who is this guy named Mark?

1. Probably an eyewitness to some of Jesus’ life.  Close companion to the (Apostle Peter).
2. A cousin to (Barnabas).
3. See Mark 14:50-52.
4. Mark matured in his (faith and strength) and became useful to Paul.

Mark’s gospel is pretty (straightforward). One of his favorite words is “immediately” or “straightway.”

While Matthew wrote primarily to a (Jewish) population to prove Jesus was Messiah, Mark’s approach was geared toward the (Romans).

Mark 10:45 is key verse: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.”   Point well taken: Leadership best leads by (being a servant).

II.   AN ANALYSIS         

Mark develops three major themes in his gospel:

1. (Discipleship). “Come follow me…”
2. Contrast between (belief and unbelief).
3. (Crucifixion and Resurrection).

What is the watershed issue of the Gospel?  Mark 8:27.

Wide outline for Mark;

1)     The Servant introduced- 1:1-13

2)     The Servant at work- 1:14-8:30

3)     The Servant Resisted and Rejected- 8:31-15:47

4)     The Servant Triumphant and Exalted- 16

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Love Speaks

Title: Love Speaks Through Friendship

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Looking Straight Ahead

Scripture: Matthew 4: 1-11

“I can resist anything…except temptation.”

I.    THE FACTS ABOUT TEMPTATION   

Please turn to James 1 (p.1011)  Four facts about temptation:

1. Temptation is (inevitable).
2. Temptation is never (directed by God).   “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”  I John 1:5
3. Temptation is an (individual matter).
4. Temptation that leads to sin always follows the (same pattern).

II.    THE FOCUS OF TEMPTATION        

A couple of things to recognize:

1)     After every (victory) comes temptation.

2)     These three temptations were not the first time the enemy came to Him.

Temptation #1: (Serving Self).  [v.3]

Temptation #2: (Testing God)  [v.6]

Temptation #3: (Worshipping Satan)  [Vv.8-9]

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Love Speaks

Title: The Servant (An Overview of Mark)

Scripture: Various Scriptures in Mark

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  Getting Your Head on Straight

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

“Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.” Hummel.

I.   THE QUESTION      

Test #1: Chapter 21-22:21

Test #2: Sadducees and marriage trap

Test #3:  This passage in Matthew 22:34-40

“silenced” [v.34} means “(to muzzle), to forcefully restrict the opening of the mouth”

Perspective: (365) negative laws + (248) positive= (613) laws/commandments

II.   THE ANSWER       

Jesus’ answer is found in Deut.6:4-9; 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41.  It is known as the (Sh’ma).  The word means “Hear” and “listen” and the Hebrew word “obey.”   The Hebrew is LORD (all caps) which is identified as the name (YHWH).  In all caps it refers to God’s personal identity.  He is revealed as the (ONE and ONLY).

His first words are “You shall love.”    How are we supposed to love?

1. With all our (heart).  This is not about brains or neurons.  It is more about (intention) and (emotion) than mind and intelligence.
2. With all our (soul).  Hebrew word is living being, self, desire, appetite, emotion, passion.
3. With all our (strength).  The word is actually an adverb, not a noun, and means (exceedingly).  No physical strength is needed.

So what is Sh’ma saying?  We are invited to love with the (completeness) of our heart; with (everything) that is within us; and to love Him with (abundant love).

We are to love our neighbor as (ourselves).

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Sound Advice

Title: Looking Straight Ahead

Scripture: Matthew 4: 1-11

SERIES: The Great Adventure

TITLE:  A Look Ahead (Overview of Matthew)

Scripture: Various Scriptures in Matthew

I.    THE PARTICULARS ABOUT MATTHEW     

The silent years following the writing of Malachi:

Persian Empire-> Alexander the Great-> Antiochus IV Epiphanes -> Maccabean Revolt -> Pompey -> Julius Caesar -> Gaius Octavius  (Caesar Augustus)

During this time the Septuigant (Greek translation of the OT) was written, as was the Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Several social and religious developments also took place: synagogues. Religious sects (Pharisees) and (Essenes) were born.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke called (Synoptic gospels) because similar to each other in viewpoint, content, narrative flow and style.  Matthew wrote his book with a (Jewish flavor). His purpose was to show the Jews was (Messiah).

The (Law) is prevalent, in particular, as Jesus clashes with the religious rulers. Matthew shows the rejection of the Jews, and the acceptance of the Gentiles.

II.   THE KEY POINTS ABOUT MATTHEW      

2 prominent issues rise to the top;

1. The (Kingdom of Heaven)
2. (Hypocrisy) & (Self-Righteousness)

How does Matthew present Jesus?

1. The King who was (revealed).
2. The King who was (rejected).
3. The King who will return to (judge and rule).

NEXT WEEK:   TGA: Sound Advice

Title: Getting Your Head on Straight

Scripture: Matthew 22L34-40